On the final stretch of their Still The Same Tour, the duo's first since 2012, Sugarland stopped for a one-night stand at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. The two-time Grammy winging country duo took the stage with a level high energy that was contagious to everyone in attendance. Performing five songs from their latest album Bigger, including “Babe” and a variety of covers from Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy,” the duo backed by a stud band certainly flexed their musical prowess.

On September 13th, hardcore bandKaonashicame toThe Wirein Berwyn, IL and brought an amazing performance with them. [Stream the photos above!] Currently on the final days of tour withSufferer;Kaonashi is originally from Philadelphia, PA and has played the Illinois area quite frequently in the last few months.

They have a few scattered local shows in the Philly area, as well as a tour withI Set My Friends On Fire and Lil Lotus in December of this year. Be sure to keep up with the band on social media for tour updates as well.

They released an EP titled 'Native' in August of 2016, which included a few songs featuring Sabella as well.

​Since then, they have released two singles over the years, “You’ll Understand When You’re Older,” and more recent, “Real Leather.” Mixing together hardcore riffs with some clean vocals & fast-paced drumming, Kaonashi will surely sweep you off your feet at first listen.

There is no set release dates for new music, but based on a brief overheard interview from vocalist, Peter Rono, he mentioned, “You can definitely expect something to come out in either October or November.” ​

The band's lyrics primarily touch base on social issues such as racism, bullying, and mental health awareness.

In the single, “Real Leather,” (06.20.18) the music video is mostly set in the scene of a high school counselor’s office where a misunderstood teenager is frustratedly trying to express his issues and emotions:

In the lyrics, “Take what's on your mind and get it off your chest, that broken heart on your sleeve tells me you're not like the rest,” fans can definitely find a sense of belonging within the song if they’ve ever struggled with similar issues.

Peter Rono: "The main reason I play music - is self expression - I think; growing up in a place where you can't dress the way you want to or talk the way you want to; it really inspired me to find a way to do that. Kaonashi is how I do that."

Dead/Awake from Rockford, IL release their debut six-track EP, 'Insurrectionist' via We Are Triumphant on Friday, October 5th, 2018. Included within the hardcore track-list are their trending singles and music videos: "The Pale Horse" (ft. Tyler Shelton of Traitors) and "Kingslayer" (ft. Dave Simonich of Signs of the Swarm). Their third released single & Dead/Awake Fall 2018 live shows are listed below.

The band has recorded multiple songs featuring noteworthy guest vocalists such as Frankie Palmeri (Emmure), Tyler Shelton (Traitors), Kyle Anderson (The Afterimage, Brand of Sacrifice), and Dave Simonich (Signs of the Swarm).

Alison: Share with us the production journey behind 'Insurrectionist' EP?

Michael: Craig Baker produced 'Insurrectionist'; we recorded the full EP July of 2018. One thing we see bands doing is writing material, playing shows, and not tracking potentially for years. Craig is fantastic; available to record when possible. We write the instrumentals to the album first; lyrics second. Officially we signed to We Are Triumphant on August 2018; the EP will be out October 5th, 2018.

Alison: Online, the band recommends some artists influential to their music:

"Please do tell now (How does it feel);
To become the evil that you (Sought to repeal) -" Lyrics: "The Pale Horse"

Alison: Out since August 10th, 2018 as the first single and music video to promote 'Insurrectionist' EP, this track builds power and strength through lucid-shattering edits of the band's performance. Lyrics are delivered in urgency between Noah, Dillon and guest Tyler Shelton;the visual experience heightens in synch with heavy drops. A wicked finale to the song after the final words, "You will learn to fear my name." So awesome!

What was the background inspiration for this song and the music video?

Michael: People try to justify violence in politics, despite what side of the spectrum they are on; which does not help anyone. This is the only song we had already written prior to recording our EP; the rest we wrote in the studio. The title of the song refers to a passage from the Bible; "the horse death rides upon;harbinger of the apocalypse; the ending of time."

Dillon: The music video was filmed and edited by Joe Gibbs from Morrison, IL; we filmed this in a grain elevator; a giant room where people used to haul and store grain. It was 105°Fdegrees outside on this day!

" - Hold on to hope that your demise is eminent;
We rejoice at the thought of wolves at your gate;
Dismembered by the ones you exploit and betray;
I could not think of a more fitting fate - "Lyrics: "Kingslayer"

Alison: Published on August 31st, 2018 as the second single and music video for 'Insurrectionist' EP; this track proliferates the band's heavy and cinematic signature. Deep green and crimson introduces the members in an insidious atmosphere; a dancer rotates fire within her hands captured in slow motion. Guest vocalist Dave Simonich delivers his soul around the half-way mark. ​

The lyrics in this song are so powerful; could you explain the writing process?

Michael: While I wrote the lyrics to [both singles]; Dillon and Noah revised them. It's hyper political yet also neutral; the lyrics are left up to interpretation. This is also a Joe Gibbs film; Molly Kinnunen filmed guest vocalist Dave from Signs of the Swarm.

" - Enjoy the flames;
The time for compassion has now expired;
Your bones to light atop the pyre."Lyrics: "Kingslayer"​

Dillon: Any connections with past events are incidental. But history in retrospect is brutal; which is how the song feels. [On topic of using the term 'pyre'].

Alison: The third single for 'Insurrectionist' EP was released Friday, September 21st featuring guest vocalist Kyle Anderson(The Afterimage, Brand of Sacrifice). Cohesive to the theme of the EP so far - "ultra vitam" in Latin is defined as "more lives." They used a sampled "swallow this" to bridge a heavy mid-way drop; this absolutely rocks! The song transitions into etheric piano chords harmonizing towards the end; a great incentive to discover the span of the entire EP once it's released on October 5, 2018.

Alison: In public archives, the term "Insurrectionist" represents "a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)." This band augurs a nuanced approach of political resistance through the depth of 'Insurrectionist' EP.

What strikes additionally inspiring aboutDead/Awake is their positive sponsorship of collaborations with groups or individuals in both audio and video production. The star-crossed alignment of creativity and talent packs energy into each unique song and music video.

How might you recommend bands align with connections in the scene?

Michael: I've grown a network from contributing piano covers of deathcore and metalcore songs. Visit his portfolio here or his cover of Wage War "Youngblood".

Packing the crowd to the front row early, Vein triggers their debut live performance of first EP ​'Errorzone' with the title track "Virus://Vibrance." Releasing the EP while on summer tour; this concert was the first time for Chicago to experience​'Errorzone' EP from Vein live. Buying or streaming the album to support this band, adding Vein to playlists & following them on favorite platforms is an intuitive post-show impulse. Their standing-ovation hometown-reputation from the Northeast has spread word of mouth to bolster their metal & hardcore acclaim. "Doomtech," was a favorite to witness because fans scream parts of the lyrics into the microphone. Within "Untitled," we caught a drum solo shared above.

[Track #1] | "Virus://Vibrance:" The visuals for this music video are cohesive to the album cover of 'Errorzone.' This MV displays a psychologically thrilling narrative of a person on the verge of a gory psychosis. In my opinion; Vein successfully produced a modern visual tribute to the break-through 'eyeball-cutting' scene from the silent-surrealist1929 film-vault classic, "Un Chien Andalou" by Spanish director Luis Buñuel and artist Salvador Dalí. As the only music video to the album yet; they set forth a strong precedent and we're so stoked for future visual releases.

[Track #2] | "Old Data In A Dead Machine:" An action-packed sequel; this track is so fun. There's a heavy bass drop around the half-way mark that will inspire frequent replay. Don't forget this title - You'll want to hear it again, twice!

[Track #3] | "Rebirth Protocol:" The energy is packed so don't expect to tap out anytime soon; this circa one minute track has a savage guitar melody that leaves you on the edge.

[Track #7] | "Doomtech:" A fan favorite; this song is so memorable; there's a bridge in the middle where they encourage fans to repeat the lyrics or shout them in their own tempo. This instigates so much spontaneity at a live concert. Highlights include, "Everytime I close my eyes - I crash a thousand cars - and all my loved ones die. Surging with the urges to mutilate - and all the guilt of - every unwanted thought it brings - How did it get like this?"

[Track #11] | "Quitting Infinity:" The closing track is bittersweet and sentimental; the album is almost at it's closure; I feel catharsis from the release of built up rage. The last thirty seconds of this song leave no room for interpretation -Vein is the metal and hardcore band you need to see right now; check their tour dates below!

The new record will include the three singles "Halo," "Bad Machine," and "England's Dreaming" which are available for streaming and featured below. These three tracks were chronologically released in June, August and September of 2018.

Make no mistake, 'Welcome to the Neighbourhood' (9.7.18) is an incredibly well-written album filled with various chilly synths and a dark new tone. The underlying message about the turbulent conditions of the band’s home and generation gives this record the depth and substance it needed.

Navigating an unfamiliar sound can be difficult, but ​Boston Manor have proven it’s possible to find yourself successfully. Just like the fans, I am anticipating the band’s next move and can’t wait to see what else they come up with. This composition contains so many tracks that will be a necessity in your next playlist.

“[Blackpool] was a holiday destination, a place where you can go to forget all your troubles and now things here are just so fucked up – there are huge drug problems and a 40 percent unemployment rate in the winter,” explains Cox, “It was once this beautiful thing, and it’s become a little bit broken.” The first tracks of the new album embrace these hard-hitting themes and address the issues the band’s home is currently experiencing.

The lyrics throughout the record are written immaculately with each song containing emotional and relatable lyrics. Each track also features a chorus that finds a way to get stuck in your head.

​As the title track, "Welcome To The Neighbourhood" begins we are welcomed into the record’s moody, down-tempo rock sound. The catchy chorus including the lyrics “If you could leave you would -” provides an ominous tone that enhances the inspiration behind the album.

The second song "Flowers In Your Dustbin" greets us with a familiar ​Boston Manor sound that urges you to dance and sing around. The song includes heavy guitar riffs that are beautifully complemented by the percussion instruments and smooth vocals.

While the upbeat chorus in track two provides a small relief from the rock and roll, track three, titled "Halo," dives right back in with even more passion. The song is about the dark truth behind drug addiction and relapse. The bridge features a narrative that many addicts know all too well, “Just a quick fix then I’ll get clean -.” Following the bridge, the chorus delivers the true pain behind relapsing through the lyrics, "Cause I had it, then I lost it all -.”

As the album progresses, a wide variety of emotions can be felt. Whether it’s the hurt and betrayal sung about in "Tunnel Vision" (Track #7) or the guilt and heartbreak in closing track "The Day I Ruined Your Life," each song is filled with pure and raw feelings. While the band had their reservations about changing some elements in their sound, their conscious choice to showcase their versatility is evident through this emotional barrage of rock and roll.

​The vocals are another high point; there is a change in vocalist’s Henry Cox’s singing since 'Be Nothing' (2016) that can be almost immediately noticed, in the best way. His singing in 'Welcome to the Neighbourhood' (9.7.2018)has smoothed over itself creating a polished tonality that melts into the songs. However, on tracks like "Hate You" (Track #10) we are comforted with the familiar sound Cox bellows out. Overall, he seems more confident and secure in his voice on this new album, and he should be.